Mourinho sent edited photo to Marc Cucurella; left‑back says he was amused

José Mourinho surprised Marc Cucurella this week by sending the Real Madrid left‑back an edited photograph that left Cucurella laughing, the player revealed in an interview. The image showed a photomontage of Cucurella shirtless with Mourinho’s face tattooed on his chest — a detail Cucurella said he had not expected.

Prank and changing dynamics at Real

Mourinho returned to the Real Madrid bench this summer after a 13‑year absence, charged with restoring the club after two disappointing seasons. The Portuguese coach has made several changes to the squad and, according to Cucurella, has taken a different approach to relationships inside the dressing room.

“I didn’t expect Mourinho to have that kind of approach to the players. He is the first coach with whom I am relaxed in most situations,” Cucurella told a Spanish media outlet, describing a bond that has helped him settle quickly in the team.

On the photomontage, Cucurella said: “I was surprised when I picked up my phone and saw what he had sent me. It was a photomontage. In the picture I was shirtless and his face was tattooed on my chest. I can't describe how much it made me laugh,” the Spain international said.

Cucurella moved to Real Madrid from Chelsea during the summer for a fee reported at €55 million and has established himself as the club’s first‑choice left back. So far this season he has made 16 appearances for Real and recorded one assist.

Beyond the joke, Cucurella praised the squad’s evolution under Mourinho: “I arrived only this summer, but I saw and they immediately told me what Mourinho had done. He was most afraid that everyone would be too individual and fight for themselves first, then for the team. Thanks to José, we became a much better team. We look like a real team and the togetherness has returned in the Real dressing room,” he said.

Photo: press material from the event